Fiberglass pool edge coping system

ABSTRACT

A pool edge coping system for completing the water-side edge of a concrete pool surround installed around the top of pre-fabricated, fiberglass in-ground pools. The coping system is a combination concrete placement form and edge finishing system for cast-in-place surrounds. An embodiment of the invention comprises long, thin decorative edging bands secured to the top corner of the pool liner. Multiple band are fastened end-to-end around the perimeter of the pool using fasteners. Anchors are installed at various points along the length of the band to secure its front face in the vertical direction. Joint clips are installed over the ends of the bands at each butt-joint. Concrete is placed against the back of the band, leveled to the top of the band and allowed to cure. The band is left in place as a decorative edging to the completed concrete surround.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of in-ground pool finishing systems. More specifically, the present invention is coping system for finishing the edge of an in-ground fiberglass pool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Finishing the edges of fiberglass in-ground pools with a concrete pad surround has traditionally presented suppliers with challenges. Because of the size and relative flexibility of the pre-fabricated fiberglass containment liner, an in-ground pool is difficult to install with precision. Fashioning the bottom and sides of the excavation to fit the bulky, non-rigid shell structure generally involves a degree of trial and error as the installation progresses due to the flex and sag inherent in the liner. As a result, the top edge of the pool liner tends to be out of level and out of true relative to typical construction tolerances. This presents difficulties in placing concrete around the perimeter of the pool because using conventional forming methods for concrete work on a hard, non-level edge-surface is impractical. In addition, many pool designs call for curved rather than straight edges, further complicating the issue of form work for placing concrete.

To mitigate the above problems, suppliers have employed a prior art forming system comprising relatively pliable Styrofoam panels. The panels are placed end to end, lying on one edge, and are curved in the horizontal direction as necessary to follow the edge of the pool. At the same time, the semi-rigid panels are forcibly distorted to fit the as-installed, vertically irregular top surface of the pool's edge. These two processes are performed simultaneously while attempting to maintain a reasonable degree of verticality in the panel. The panels are held in place by various methods including the use of deadman-type anchors buried within the concrete placement area. This is a crude, yet complicated system to install and one that can be difficult to maintain during concrete placement. Because the Styrofoam panels are not perfectly rigid, they easily conform to the uneven edge of the pool. However, also because they are not rigid, they are easily pushed out of line between the securing anchors by the act of the concrete placement. This makes for a visible defect once the panel is removed, reflecting poorly on the installers and creating dissatisfaction on the part of the purchaser.

Further, once the concrete attains its initial set, the Styrofoam panels must be removed and the exposed edge of the concrete must be quickly finished. Since the only economical access for the concrete finishers is via the interior of the pool, finishers must float in the water to finish the water-side edge of the concrete. Because of this, installing pools in the early spring and late fall is not always feasible, even though the weather is generally otherwise acceptable for installing pools and placing concrete. This cuts down on the effective work season for fiberglass pool installers, again proving unsatisfactory to both suppliers and would-be owners of pools.

In aggregate, these disadvantageous features of the prior art concrete finishing system leave much to be desired. To this end, the present invention is a means to provide an attractive, easily employed system for concrete edge finishing in fiberglass in-ground pools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A fiberglass pool edge coping system is disclosed as an invention for completing the water-side edge of a concrete pool surround which is typically installed around the top edge of pre-fabricated, fiberglass in-ground pools. The coping system is a combination concrete placement form and edge finishing system for the cast-in-place edge surround.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises multiple strips of a relatively long, thin decorative edging band secured to the top corner of a fiberglass pool liner. The multiple strips of band are fastened end-to-end around the perimeter of the pool using fasteners installed through various surfaces of the band into the front and top surfaces of the fiberglass liner as required to hold the edging band in place. Stabilizing anchors are utilized at various points along the length of the installed band to stabilize the front face of the band in the vertical direction, and seam-covering joint clips are installed over the ends of the bands at each butt-joint created during the end-to-end installation to hide the joints. Cross-sectional profiles of the edging bands, anchors and joint clips, as installed on the edge of the pool are shown in FIG. 1.

The system's edging band has a tall, relatively thin profile with a visually appealing front side and a mounting flange projecting from its back side. The mounting flange is segmented, allowing the band to be deformed, to a concave or convex shape, parallel to the plane of the flange.

Because of this horizontal flexibility, the band is especially suited for use on a horizontally curvaceous edge of a pool liner. The band may be curved, even to a very tight radius, and it will hold its shape. Once shaped, the band is placed on the top edge of the liner with its visually appealing side facing the interior of the pool area and with the mounting flange resting on the top surface of the edge of the liner. The bottom of the band projects down past the top edge of the liner and is pressed against the vertical surface of the liner. This completes the horizontal fit-up of the band to the pool. The band is now ready for any vertical adjustment.

The band is quite stiff in the vertical direction. However, it has enough flexibility to fit the often vertically irregular shape of the as-installed top edge of the pool. Also, since the lower lip of the band projects down past the top edge of the liner, slight out-of-level imperfections existing around the top edge of the liner after installation are easily hidden by the inventive system.

The horizontally positioned liner is now adjusted vertically, principally to smoothly navigate pool edge peaks and valleys, as required to suit the installed condition of the liner. This is performed with an eye toward aesthetics. The top of the liner should be as level as possible, bridging areas of imperfections in a smooth, continuous manner.

The band is adjusted as described above and then preliminarily secured with fasteners. The fasteners are installed through the bottom of the band into the vertical face of the liner as shown in FIG. 1. This holds the band in its vertical configuration.

Next, anchors are installed on the back side of the band to give the band vertical stability. The anchors are attached to the band in this embodiment by a channel and hook engagement. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 1. With the anchor hook secured in the channel on the back of the band, the band is plumbed and the anchor is secured with a fastener into the top surface of the liner. The spacing of the anchors is dependent on the shape of the installed band and the condition of the installed liner. A band installed on a curvaceous, very un-even liner edge will likely require more anchors than a band installed on a relatively straight, level edge.

Next, fasteners are installed along the mounting flange, penetrating the flange and the top of the edge of the liner. These help keep the base of the band in place along the perimeter of the liner and the number of fasteners installed is determined by the installers, again depending on the conditions of the liner.

Once a first band is installed, a second band is shaped and fit next to it. The second band is placed next to the first band with corresponding (opposite) ends aligned in a butt-joint arrangement.

After the installation of two successive edging bands, the joint clips are pressed over the top of the installed bands at the butt-joints at the opposing ends of the bands. The clips are secured, via fasteners, through their front sides to the face of the liner (through the face of the band), and through their back sides to the anchors installed at each butt-joint.

The process continues, forming bands to the shape of the next segment of the top edge of the pool liner, abutting to the end of the last installed band a corresponding opposing end of a next new band, and adjusting and fastening the new band to the liner in a smooth and continuous manner, until a continuous edging surrounds the entire perimeter of the pool. A final band may have to be cut to length before shaping, fitting and securing into place in the final, unfinished segment of the edge of the liner.

The edging band is now ready to be used as a form for the pool-side edge of a concrete surround. In an application unrelated to the invention, the remaining areas of the concrete placement area are prepared to receive concrete. Concrete is then placed into the prepared area, using the installed edging system of the invention as one part of the forms for the surround. The concrete is leveled to the top of the edging band and allowed to cure. Once cured, the edging band remains in place with no further installation, removal or finishing work required.

This invention greatly improves the edging system of the prior art, providing installers with an easy-to-use system for forming an area to receive a concrete surround, eliminating the need for timely and hurried concrete edge finishing after placing of concrete, and permitting the lengthening of the pool installation season up to the limits imposed by frozen ground in the spring or freezing temperatures in the fall when excavation and concrete work would be prohibited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are discussed hereinafter in reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a depiction of the first exemplary embodiment of the invention showing a section view through the coping system near a butt joint between installed edging bands (before concrete placement). The joint clip is shown in this view.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of the first exemplary embodiment of the invention showing a section view through the coping system near the mid-point of an installed edging band (before concrete placement). The joint clip is not shown in this view.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the first exemplary embodiment (View A-A taken from FIG. 1) of the invention showing the notched (segmented) mounting flange as it extends from the back side of the edging band of the system.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the front sides of parts of two installed edging bands and an included butt joint. This view also indicates (hidden line) anchors installed behind the two edging bands.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view illustrating the butt joint of FIG. 4 being covered with a joint clip.

FIG. 6 is a close perspective view of a cut-away assembly of the edging band to the pool liner edge, stabilized with an anchor.

FIG. 7 is a distant perspective view of two partial segments of the edging band assembled along the top of a pool liner, as ready for but prior to placing concrete.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention comprises a coping system employed as a combination concrete form and edge finishing for a site-installed concrete-surround placed along the top corner of an in-ground fiberglass pool.

As is illustrated in FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises an edging band 1, an anchor 2, a joint clip 3, a primary fastener 4, a secondary fastener 5, and a clip fastener 6. Multiple strips of edging band 1 attach to a top corner 7 of a pool liner 8, in a repetitious and continuous manner, thus completing the system of the present invention.

Edging band 1 comprises a relatively thin cross-sectional member with a front side 10, a back side 11, a left edge 12 (not shown), a right edge 13 (not shown), a top edge 14, a bottom edge 15. In this embodiment, the front side 10 is embossed with a series of horizontal ridges 16. An L-shaped anchor engagement channel 20, comprising horizontal leg 17, vertical leg 18 attaches to back side 11 at channel attachment point 19. Also, a segmented mounting flange 25 comprising a flange top side 21 and a flange bottom side 22 projects away from back side 11 at attachment point 23. As shown in FIG. 3, mounting flange 25 is segmented by the removal of notches 24 along its length. In this embodiment, a decorative transition feature 9 adorns top edge 14. The nature of edging band 1 is that of a vertically rigid, horizontally flexible coping strip which is able to be curved horizontally to form a convex or concave shape, suitable for following the contour of top corner 7, as may be present in the design of a given fiberglass pool.

Anchor 2 comprises a top hook 26, a bracing flange 27, a back 28, and a bottom lip 29. The nature of anchor 2 is that of a rigid structural shape which when properly affixed between installed edging band 1 and top corner 7 (as shown in FIG. 1) provides firm support for the edging band.

Joint clip 3 comprises a strip of material, very narrow as compared to the length of edging band 1, having a front section 30 and a back section 31. As shown in FIG. 1, front section 30 is shaped to fit tightly against front side 10 of edging band 1. Back section 31 is shaped to fit over the top of edging band 1 and partially along back 28 of anchor 2. The purpose of joint clip 3 is to hide butt joint seams created as two sections of edging band 1 are installed around the top corner (7) of a pool.

Edging band 1, anchor 2 and joint clip 3 may be made of metal, rubber, plastic or any material suited to the riggers of the intended use of the system. Anchor attachment channel 20 and mounting flange 25 may be similarly made from any of the above materials and may be attached to said edging band via extrusion, welding, gluing, riveting or any other suitable method to hold said features in place during installation.

Primary fasteners 4 are used to secure edging band 1 or a combination of the edging band and joint clip 3 to top corner 7. In this embodiment, they are shown as self-tapping countersunk screws, however, they may comprise pop-rivets or other securing elements depending on the preference of the installer of the system.

Secondary fasteners 5 are used to secure anchor 2 through segmented flange 25 into top corner 7. In this embodiment, they are shown as self-tapping screws with washers, however, they may comprise pop-rivets or the like depending on the preference of the installer of the system.

Clip fasteners 6 are used to secure joint clips 3 to anchors 2. In this embodiment, they are shown as self-tapping screws with washers, however, they may comprise pop-rivets depending on the preference of the installer of the system.

To install the exemplary embodiment of the inventive system, as shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, a first edging band 1L (comprised of an edge band 1) is shaped as required to fit any horizontal contour of top corner 7 (see FIG. 7) and is placed against top corner 7 with flange bottom side 22 resting generally on the top of top corner 7 and back side 11 resting generally against the side of top corner 7. Bottom side 22 and back side 11 may or may not engage their respective top corner surfaces at all possible points upon fit-up, due to local imperfections in the manufacture and installation of pool liner 8 and its associated top corner 7. Small amounts of variations in fit are acceptable.

The first band 1L is secured to top corner 7 with primary fastener 4. An intermediate anchor 21 (comprised of an anchor 2) is placed into position on band 1L by engaging top hook 26 into anchor channel 20 and setting bottom lip 29 down onto flange top side 21 of segmented mounting flange 25, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 6 shows a cut-away perspective view of the anchor-to-band assembly, wherein flange 25 is shorter and anchor 2 extends past flange 25 and is secured directly to the pool. Either embodiment is within the scope of the invention. The selection of the horizontal location for the intermediate anchor 21 along the length of band 1L is based on the experience and judgement of the installer of the system. Edging band 1L is adjusted to a visually acceptable position and intermediate anchor 21 is fastened through segmented mounting flange 25 into top corner 7 with secondary fastener 5. Additional intermediate anchors are installed along the length of said first edging band, as needed (an exemplary arrangement is depicted in FIG. 4), until the first band is securely fastened (with the exception of its two ends, which are still loose at this point) in position along the top corner of the pool.

Once first edging band 1L is in place as described above, a second edging band 1R (comprised of another edge band 1) is installed. To install the second edging band, as shown in FIG. 4, the left edge 12 of band 1R is placed adjacent to the right edge 13 of band 1L with the orientation of said left end of 1R corresponding to that of said right end of 1L. The juncture formed between the ends of bands 1L and 1R is referred to as butt joint 32.

Next, the two ends of the two edge bands at butt joint 32 are fit against the top corner of the pool liner as desired. A secondary fastener 5 is used to secure the mounting flange 25 to top corner 7, as shown in FIG. 1. Then a joint anchor 2J (comprised of an anchor 2) is installed at butt joint 32, also as shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 4, to brace the two ends of the two bands. Anchor 2J is secured through mounting flange 25 into top corner 7 using a secondary fastener 5.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 5, a joint clip 3A (comprised of a joint clip 3) is placed over butt joint 32, to hide the joint from view. A perspective of said two edging bands 1L and 1R and an included butt joint covered with a joint clip 3A is shown in FIG. 7. The bottom of the front section 30 of clip 3A is secured along with the ends of the two edging bands comprising the butt joint to top corner 7 with primary fastener 4 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The back section 31 is then secured to anchor 3A using clip fastener 6 as depicted in FIG. 1.

The installation process of the first embodiment continues, placing additional edging bands, intermediate anchors, joint anchors and joint clips, finishing with a final edging band (not shown) being cut to length and fit to the left end of the first edging band 1L (not shown) in a final butt joint (not shown), until the entire top corner of the pool is edged with the edging band. This creates a continuous edging band (not shown) around the entire perimeter of the pool.

Once the continuous edging band is ready, additional known preparation of a concrete placement area is completed. Said concrete placement area comprises a prepared surface beginning at said continuous ending band and projecting away from back side 11 of all edging bands comprising said continuous band to a known limit. Concrete is then placed in said concrete placement area, utilizing said continuous edging band as a retaining wall (a concrete form) to prevent a flow of wet concrete into the pool, and simultaneously to establish the depth of the concrete at its edge. Once the concrete is cured, said continuous edging band serves as a finished edge to the concrete surround of the pool. No removal of the edging band is required.

In the exemplary embodiment described above, fairly precise depictions of features of the invention (e.g., the anchor attachment channel, the top edge of the edging band, the anchor and the joint clip) are indicated. These embodiments of the features are meant to serve as examples only and may be varied as desired without departing from the teaching of the invention.

In a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, front side 10 of edging band 1 may have alternate embossment to the ridges 16 of the first embodiment.

In a third embodiment, front side 10 may be decorated with paint or a pattern.

Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limited sense. 

1. A coping apparatus for finishing a top edge of a fiberglass pool liner comprising: a vertically rigid, horizontally flexible edging band, having a fixed vertical height, a fixed horizontal length, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side, a back side, first and second ends and having a segmented mounting flange extending from said back side.
 2. The coping apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an L-shaped anchor engagement channel attached to said back side of said edging band and running parallel to said horizontal length of said edging band; wherein: said segmented mounting flange extends generally horizontally from said back side and extends parallel to said anchor engagement channel below said anchor engagement channel.
 3. The coping apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: anchors for stabilizing said edging band, wherein said anchors comprise a brace with a top hook for engagement with said anchor engagement channel and a bottom lip.
 4. The coping apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a second edging band having an end for abutment with one of said first or second ends of said edging band, in a corresponding alignment, to form a butt end joint.
 5. The coping apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: joint clips for visually concealing butt joints; primary fasteners for fixing said edging band to said fiberglass pool liner; secondary fasteners for fixing said anchors to said fiberglass pool liner; and clip fasteners for fixing said joint clips to said anchors installed at said butt joints.
 6. The coping apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pool liner comprises: an open top containment shell having: an interior for containing liquid; and a top rim; an interior surface of said shell oriented toward said interior; an exterior surface of said shell for resting said shell against a prepared support area; and said top edge comprising: a vertical leg, connected at its lower extreme to said top rim, and having a vertical mounting surface, oriented toward said interior of said shell; and a horizontal leg, connected to said vertical leg at its upper extreme, and oriented generally perpendicular to said vertical leg and extending away from said interior of said shell, and having a top mounting surface and a bottom surface.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said front side of said edging band comprises a finished surface.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said front side of said edging band comprises a decorative surface treatment.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said anchor engagement channel may be attached to said back side by the process of extrusion, welding, brazing, riveting or gluing.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said segmented mounting flange is notched to facilitate bending of said edging band in said horizontal direction and may be attached to said back side by the process of extrusion, welding, brazing, riveting or gluing.
 11. A method for finishing a top edge of a fiberglass pool liner utilizing a fiberglass pool edge finishing apparatus, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of vertically rigid, horizontally flexible lengths of edging band, each having a fixed vertical height, a fixed horizontal length, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side, a back side, first and second ends, a segmented mounting flange extending from said back side, and an L-shaped anchor engagement channel attached to said back side of said edging band and running parallel to said horizontal length; and attaching said segmented mounting flange of a first length of edging band to said top edge of said fiberglass pool liner; and abutting a first end of a second length of edging band with a first end of said first length of edging band and attaching said segmented mounting flange of said second length of edging band to said pool edge so as to maintain said abutment.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising: fixing and stabilizing said first length of edging band along said top edge of said pool liner with said front side oriented toward said interior of said pool liner and with said mounting flange resting generally upon an upper surface of said top edge; and fastening said vertical portion of said first length of edging band to a vertical mounting surface of said top edge of said pool.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of: providing anchors for stabilizing said lengths of edging band, having a top hook and a bottom lip; engaging the top hook of a first anchor with said L-shaped anchor engagement channel of said first length of edging band; and attaching the bottom lip of said first anchor to said upper surface of said top edge of said pool.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of: placing one end of a subsequent length of said edging band adjacent to a respective end of said first length, wherein said subsequent length is oriented toward said interior of said pool liner and aligned with said first length so as to create a first butt joint between said first and subsequent lengths, and wherein said mounting flange of said subsequent length rests generally upon said top mounting surface of said top edge of said pool; and fastening said vertical portion of said subsequent length of edging band to a vertical mounting surface of said top edge of said pool.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of: placing a second anchor aligned against said first and subsequent lengths of edging band at said first butt joint with said second anchor's top hook engaging each one of said anchor attachment channels associated with said first and subsequent lengths; and fastening said lip of said second anchor to said upper surface of said top edge of said pool.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: providing joint clips for visually concealing butt joints; placing a first of said joint clips centered over said first butt joint; and fastening said first joint clip: to said front sides of said first and subsequent lengths of edging bands; and to said first anchor located at said first butt joint.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: placing one or a plurality of subsequent anchors at appropriate locations along said lengths of edging band with said top hook engaging said anchor attachment channel; and fastening said subsequent anchors to said upper surface of said top edge of said pool.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of: continuing to fix and stabilize subsequent components of said apparatus in like manner around said top edge of said pool liner, trimming a final said length of edging band to fit against said first length creating a final butt joint until said lengths of edging band are installed along the entire length of said top edge in a continuous manner creating a continuous edging band.
 19. The method of claim 11 further comprising: fixing and stabilizing said first length of edging band along said top edge of said pool liner with said front side oriented toward said interior of said pool liner and with said mounting flange resting generally upon an upper surface of said top edge; and placing one end of a subsequent length of said edging band adjacent to a respective end of said first length, wherein said subsequent length is oriented toward said interior of said pool liner and aligned with said first length so as to create a first butt joint between said first and subsequent lengths, and wherein said mounting flange of said subsequent length rests generally upon said top mounting surface of said top edge of said pool. 